Highlights

• New Board of Architectural Review
  On February 12, 2019, City Council appointed a new Board of Architectural Review (BAR) to oversee both the Parker-Gray and Old & Historic Alexandria Districts, as well as designated 100 year old buildings. 
• Volunteers Needed for Old and Historic Alexandria District Architectural Survey
• Update to BAR Policies for Administrative Approval
  

Design Guidelines & Policies

The Design Guidelines were developed for the Old & Historic Alexandria and Parker-Gray Districts to provide information and assistance to applicants in understanding the processes of the Boards of Architectural Review. These should be utilized as tools to assist in developing a design approach. The policies listed below outline the criteria and standards for administrative approval of select architectural features, including signs.

• Old & Historic Alexandria District
  • BAR Policies for Administrative Approval
  • Roof Materials Policy
    
• Parker-Gray Historic District
  • Parker-Gray Residential Reference Guide (RRG)  used in conjunction with the Alphabetical List of Early and Late Buildings in the Parker-Gray District 
  • BAR Policies for Administrative Approval (Parker-Gray Commercial)
  • Adopted P-G Design Guidelines
    • How To Use These Guidelines
    • Siding & Trim
    • Windows
      
• Both Districts
  • Administrative Sign Policy
  • Alexandria New and Replacement Window Performance Specifications in the Historic Districts
  • BAR Policy for Administrative Approval of Gas Meters
    

Applications & Instructions  

• BAR Full Hearing Application for Certificate of Appropriateness, Permit to Demolish, Waivers, or Concept Review (PDF form)
• BAR Administrative (Staff) Approval (PDF form)
• BAR Administrative (Staff) Approval of Signs (PDF form)
• BAR Appeal Application (PDF form)
• BAR Minor Amendment Application (PDF form)
• BAR Concept Review Policy
  
• 2019 Board of Architectural Review Hearing Schedule (OHAD & Parker-Gray District)          
  
• Fee Schedule

Dockets, Webcasts, and Staff Reports

Historic Resource Survey of Old and Historic Alexandria District

The Department of Planning and Zoning's Historic Preservation Division has been working on surveying the Old and Historic District with the National Park Service and several state historic preservation offices. Please click here for more information.

Volunteer Opportunities

The historic preservation division regularly trains and works with volunteers who are interested in contributing to the preservation of Alexandria's historic resources. If you are interested in a volunteer position please contact us. 

Helpful Links  

• Annual Letter to Property Owners 
  
• Alexandria Historic Light District
• Maintenance and Preservation of Historic Masonry
• National Park Service Historic Preservation Briefs 
• National Register compared with Local Historic District
• National Register Listings in Alexandria
• National Register of Historic Places Information
  
• Virginia Department of Historic Resources: Federal and State Rehabilitation Tax Credits
• The Del Ray Neighborhood Residential Pattern Book 
• Art Deco & Streamline Moderne Buildings in Del Ray

Past Events

• 2018 Alexandria Contemporary Architecture Symposium
  
• 2015 Alexandria Contemporary Architecture Symposium
• BAR Waterfront Work Session Summary
• 2012 Del Ray Historic Preservation Conference
  

Questions?

Contact Preservation staff at preservation@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3833  

• Al Cox, Historic Preservation Manager, Architect
• Catherine Miliaras, Principal Planner 
  
• Stephanie Sample, Urban Planner
  
• Amirah Lane, Urban Planner
• Marina Novaes, Urban Planner